She-Hulk's Tatiana Maslany is joining the cast of the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series, making now the perfect time to check out her other sci-fi show that's 93% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. As a spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery, Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd century and follows a group of young Starfleet cadets. Starfleet Academy already has an impressive cast that includes Academy Award winner Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti. At New York Comic Con 2024, Paramount+ announced that Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany will also join Starfleet Academy's stacked cast.
Marvel fans will recognize Tatiana Maslany from her lead role as Jennifer Walters (aka She-Hulk) in Marvel Studios' She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but the Canadian actress's breakout role was in Orphan Black. From 2013 to 2017, Maslany starred as Sarah Manning, Alison Hendrix, Cosima Niehaus, Helena, and Rachel Duncan, as well as numerous other clones in all five seasons of Orphan Black. The show begins when Sarah Manning witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks just like her and the quest for answers proceeds to take over her life. Sarah soon finds herself caught up in a complicated and dangerous world of eugenics and cloning.
Why You Need To Check Out Tatiana Maslany In Orphan Black
Tatiana Maslany Brilliantly Portrayed Numerous Clones
Throughout Orphan Black's five seasons, Tatiana Maslany portrays over fifteen different characters, proving her range as an actress several times over. Five of the clones she plays are main characters and each of them has distinct personalities and mannerisms. Maslany expertly makes each clone into her own character, making it easy to forget the same actress is portraying all of them. Maslany's skills as an actress are particularly apparent whenever she has to portray one clone pretending to be another. In scenes like these, there is never any question that the viewer is watching Sarah pretending to be Alison, for example, rather than watching Alison herself.
Her performance in Orphan Black earned Tatiana Maslany several Emmy nominations, until she finally won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2016.
The clone Sarah Manning serves as Orphan Black's central character, as she learns about her clone "sisters" along with the audience. Each of Maslany's characters grew up in very different circumstances until their lives collide in fascinating ways. As Sarah and her fellow clones work to discover their origins, they are also fighting to stay ahead of enemies who want them dead. With humor, heart, drama, and jaw-dropping twists and turns, Orphan Black is an underrated gem of a show that does not get talked about nearly enough.
Tatiana Maslany Is Perfect Casting For Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Maslany Will Guest Star As An As-Yet-Unknown Character
In Orphan Black and She-Hulk, Tatiana Maslany has already demonstrated her range as an actress, leaving the door open for her to play almost anyone in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Although nothing about her character has been revealed, Maslany will play a guest star role in Starfleet Academy season 1. Considering Maslany is in her 30s, it's unlikely she will be portraying a Starfleet cadet, but there are numerous other roles she could fill. She could portray a henchman alongside Paul Giamatti's villain, an instructor alongside Mary Wiseman's Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly, or an Academy official alongside Holly Hunter's Chancellor, just to name a few.
Not only is Maslany used to starring in a science fiction show with a dedicated fanbase, but she also knows what it's like to join a beloved franchise
In Orphan Black alone, Maslany portrayed heroic characters, and villains, and everything in between. Not only is Maslany used to starring in a science fiction show with a dedicated fanbase, but she also knows what it's like to join a beloved franchise. Maslany joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as She-Hulk in 2022, undoubtedly becoming familiar with everything that comes with being a part of such a massive franchise. She is also no stranger to CGI and character make-up, which could come in useful if she portrays an alien in Starfleet Academy.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s Season 2 Renewal Could Mean More Guest Stars Like Tatiana Maslany
Considering Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's surprise season 2 renewal, Paramount+ clearly has confidence in the new show. Even before its first season begins, Starfleet Academy already has a stellar cast, and its early renewal means the show could continue to attract high-caliber talent. As a franchise, Star Trek not only has staying power but also an already established and massive fanbase. Whether they watched Trek growing up or just want to be a part of such a beloved franchise, many actors jump at the chance to join Star Trek.
Paramount+ plans to shoot Starfleet Academy seasons 1 and 2 back-to-back, meaning new casting announcements could come sooner rather than later. Starfleet Academy will also star Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, Zoë Steiner, Tig Notaro, Robert Picardo, and Sandro Rosta. It remains to be seen how many of these actors will return for the show's second season, but Star Trek's newest show is shaping up to be something special. Star Trek: Discovery's other spin-off, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, has been a resounding success, so here's hoping Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is just as good.
